University of Arkansas at Little Rock

As of Aug. 16, 2009, UALR is a smoke-free campus. The new smoke-free policy applies to all locations of the University, including the main campus, the Bowen School of Law, and the Benton Center.

Smokers, you may be aware that a 56-cent-a-package increase in cigarette taxes took effect this month in Arkansas. If you want to save money and kick the habit, contact the Office of Health Services, 569-3188. Smoking cessation medical counseling and health classes are available. Online classes are also now being offered.

UALR is now seven months away from becoming a smoke-free campus. On Aug. 16, 2009, the new smoke-free policy will apply to all locations of the University, including the main campus, the Bowen School of Law, and the Benton Center.

If you are a smoker and would like help with kicking the habit, UALR Health Services has scheduled two upcoming smoking cessation information sessions from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, and from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, in the Donaghey Student Center, Suite 116. You’ll hear an overview of the medication options and side effects and how treatments are monitored. You will also be able to sign up for group or individual classes at that time.

Health Services Director Janis Lewis reports that at least eight published studies² have reported that laws making indoor workplaces and public places smoke-free have been associated with significant reductions in hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). What has been lacking until now is research which indicates that this effect is sustained over time. Most recent studies have been limited to a snapshot of time immediately following the implementation of the ordinance. The Pueblo Heart Study, as published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report January 2, 2009¹ extends the analysis from 18 months prior to the implementation of the ordinance to 18 months after it (Phase I). It then extends that analysis for an additional 18 months after implementation (Phase II). The report suggests that the initial decrease in AMI hospitalizations (27%) observed immediately following the implementation of the smoke-free ordinance continued over time, with a final total decline of 41% from the Phase I pre-implementation period. These findings provide support for consideration of smoke-free policies an important component of intervention to prevent heart disease morbidity and mortality.

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [Reduced Hospitalizations for Acute Myocardial Infarction After Implementation of a Smoke-Free Ordinance-City of Pueblo, Colorado, 2002-2006]. MMWR 2008;57:1373-77.
2. Glantz, S. Meta-analysis of the effects of smokefree laws on acute myocardial infarction: an update. Prev Med 2008;47:452-3.

UALR is now 10 months away from becoming a smoke-free campus. On Aug. 16, 2009, the new smoke-free policy will apply to all locations of the University, including the main campus, the Bowen School of Law, and the Benton Center.

If you want to quit smoking and need help, UALR Health Services offers individual and group programs to help kick your nicotine addiction. The program is now accepting registrations for the next class.

The first smoking cessation class, which has eight students enrolled, is halfway complete. The class is learning about smoking from both a behavioral and a physical standpoint. Three participants are using the nicotine patch, and five students are taking Chantix, a non-nicotine prescription medication – both effective treatments.

To receive more information about the cessation program, sign-up for the listserv.

UALR is now nine months away from becoming a smoke-free campus. On Aug. 16, 2009, the new smoke-free policy will apply to all locations of the University, including the main campus, the Bowen School of Law, and the Benton Center.

If you smoke and are considering quitting, sign up for the listserv about smoking cessation programs offered by UALR Health Services.

Making the Decision to Quit

Just how and why do people stop smoking? Ahh, that is the ultimate question. Researchers have been looking into it for years. One theory that has been used is the “Stages of Change Model.” The model is based on research that shows that behavior changes related to smoking occur over a continuum. In other words, not all people are at the same point in the “getting ready to quit” scenario. Here’s an overview of the stages:

Pre-contemplator. This is the smoker who is not even thinking about quitting right now.

Contemplator. This is the smoker who is actively thinking about quitting but is not quite ready to make a serious attempt yet. This person may say, “Yes, I’m ready to quit, but the stress of finals is too much, or I don’t want to gain weight, or I’m not sure if I can do it.”

Preparation. Smokers in the preparation stage seriously intend to quit in the next month and often have tried to quit in the past 12 months. They usually have developed a plan to quit.

Action. In this stage, the smoker has taken action to quit and is in the first six months of being smoke-free.

Maintenance. This is the period of six months to five years after quitting when the new non-smoker is actively engaged in taking steps to avoid smoking again. This usually includes incorporating other healthy behaviors into one’s life.

Source: http://www.tobaccofreeu.org/

One of the biggest days for tobacco control happens in November. It’s a one-day celebration designed to help smokers quit. It is just the one day, but it’s a start.

Of course, we’re talking about the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout. Held annually on the 3rd Thursday of November. The day was created to highlight the dangers of smoking and challenge people to stop using tobacco.

The idea grew out of a 1974 event when the editor of Minnesota’s Moticello Times introduced the Don’t Smoke Day, or D-Day. The idea spread and on November 18, 1976, the California American Cancer Society Division successfully prompted nearly one million smokers to quit for the day.

Now, the Great American Smokeout is nationwide. To learn more, visit ACS.

Collegiate Smokeout

To support the many campuses addressing tobacco control and encouraging their peers to quit using tobacco, The BACCHUS Network™ developed a guide to the Collegiate Smokeout, held on the same day as the Great American Smokeout.

Each year, BACCHUS publishes a programming manual to help campuses create programs and educate their peers about tobacco control issues. These programming manuals are sent to each of our affiliates, free of charge. This is one of the benefits of membership in our organization.

You can download PDF samples of the manuals by visiting tobaccofreeu.org or BACCHUS. If you would like to order the full manual, please visit our store. (Please note that manuals are only available for 2006, 2007, and 2008.)

• 2008: Momentum: Creating a Tobacco-Free Campus (388 KB)
• 2007: Tobacco Free U Tube: Broadcast Your Health! (1 MB)
• 2006: My Tobacco-Free Space (1 MB)
• 2005: Take It to the Next Level (160 KB)
• 2004: Campus Superhero Handbook: Student Leaders Battling Tobacco (1.2 MB)
• 2003: Tobacco Free U (584 KB)
• 2002: Journey of a Lifetime (520 KB)
• 2001: Road Rules (400 KB)

Vanessa Lewis, UALR’s new coordinator of health promotion, programs, and education, will provide leadership to the University’s health promotion and wellness initiatives, including smoking cessation programs for students, faculty, and staff.

Lewis’ newly created position will bridge health and fitness programs offered by UALR Health Services and the Donaghey Center Fitness and Aquatic Center.

“Our goal is to foster a healthy campus environment for the 16,000 students and employees who come to school and work here,” said Janis Lewis, director of Health Services. “We’re thrilled to have Vanessa on board to champion wellness activities and programs that will touch so many people.”

The new coordinator will identify and plan health promotion programs and advocate for policies that address campus health issues, including healthy eating, body image and sexuality, alcohol and drug education, and smoking cessation.

Logan Hampton, director of the Donaghey Center, said Lewis will also develop and coordinate a comprehensive program of competitive intramural sports on campus.

Vanessa Lewis spent the last 11 years working in UALR’s Student Affairs Division of the Counseling and Career Planning Department. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communication and psychology and a master of education degree with an adult education emphasis from UALR. She also has certification in personal training.

In 11 months, UALR’s new smoke-free campus policy will take effect. The policy will apply to all locations of the University, including the main campus, the Bowen School of Law, and the Benton Center.

In the months leading up to next August, you will receive regular communication concerning initiatives to help smooth the transition to a smoke-free campus. Smokers who wish to quit will have campus resources to help them, including smoking cessation and wellness classes offered by Health Services and the Donaghey Student Center.

Medication options will also be available. Student Services and Student Housing will also offer additional educational opportunities and support to students.

UALR employees who wish to participate in a smoking cessation program should contact Health Services for more information. This service will remain free of cost to employees of the University.

Please watch your inbox for monthly reminders, health facts, and helpful information about the smoke-free campus policy to take effect August 16, 2009.

UALR Chancellor Joel E. Anderson announced today a new smoke-free policy for the University that will be implemented in August 2009.

Dr. Anderson said the decision was based on a recommendation by the University Assembly and careful consideration of the arguments both for and against a smoking ban. The policy will apply to all locations of the University, including the main campus, the Bowen School of Law, and the Benton Center.

“This decision reflects a long-term vision of UALR as an educational leader and a model for addressing difficult issues such as economic development, sustainability, and health care both on campus and in the larger community,” Anderson said in a memo distributed to students, faculty, and staff.

“Plainly, the new smoke-free policy for the University will not ensure that everyone at UALR makes healthy choices,” he said. “It is, however, a step in the right direction. At minimum the policy will strengthen prevention efforts and reduce the number of new smokers.”

Anderson said the University will offer additional resources in the campus smoking cessation program to help support the new smoke-free policy. The smoking cessation program is free of cost to University students, faculty, and staff.

Commit to quit today!

Sign up for the listserv, or call 501-569-3188.